A Chapter Completed

Yup, Drake's the Discoverer

"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" asked Drake after he was done cleaning up my cut and putting a band-aid on it.
I said nothing as I fixed my eyes on the crack on the wall in front of me.

"Well?" he urged.
I sighed and shook my head.

"Well, that's too bad, 'cause I'm not leaving till you do."

"It's not your house."

"You're right. But as I let myself out, I could let your secret slip to your mom."

"Like she would care." I scorfed.

"Well, of course she would, she's your..."
He froze.
The few seconds of silence it took for him to comprehend everything felt like hours.

"That's what's bothering you so much, isn't it? Your mother?" He questioned.

"Congratulations Drake. You figured it out. Now get out." I said in a monotonous way.

"C'mon Zee, I know your upset. I just want to talk it out."

I shook my head. These past few minutes, the more we talked, the worse I felt. I didn't want to talk it out. I didn't want to say anything. I wanted to be alone. I deserved to be alone. And the more Drake pushed me to talk, the more I wanted him to shut up and leave. Which is probably why the next few seconds happened.

"Hey. I know what you're going through is hard. You're not alone. Just let it all out. I understand..."

Before he could finished his statement, I blew up. Again.

"Understand? Please Drake, you don't understand anything. What I'm going through is not hard, it bloody terrifying a.aand torture.
Do you know what it's like to hate yourself? Do you understand the...the pain I feel when my mother clearly shows that she couldn't care less for me?
Oh, and bold of you to even assume that I'm not alone. Oh yeah, I have a brother, sure. But the smallest divide between us is the wall dividing our rooms.
And, for once, I...I just want to feel like I'm... good enough. Good enough to talk to Chace. Good enough for my mother. Good enough to shut out the voices in my head. Good enough to ignore her."

Due the course of my monologue, my anger lessened considerably, and was converted to sadness. Towards its end, I realised I was no longer screaming at Drake, rather I was almost whispering.

In an instant, Drake crossed the room and hugged me. I felt my tears wet his shirt and so, tried to let go, but he held on for a few more seconds.
Stepping away from him, I wiped my cheeks and cursed myself internally for what had just happened.
Clearing my throat, I broke the silence.

"I think you need to leave, Drake."

As he looked at me for the next few seconds, I shuffled uncomfortably under his calculating gaze.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Not for urging you to talk, but for what you're going through. And yes, I couldn't even begin to understand what you're going through. But make no mistake, Zoe, you are not alone.
I'm there, and Davina, and the twins. We've got your back."

I snorted at his words in disbelief.

"I'm serious. You're not alone."

With those words, Drake let himself out, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Suffice to say, it was too soon for that sigh to be heaved as five seconds later, my door opened once more, and Drake peaked in.

"On second thoughts, I feel it would be stupid to leave you alone in your current...state." He gestured to my arms, as he let himself in again.

I glared at him in annoyance, throwing a pillow at his stupid face. Being captain though, meant having fast reflexes, so unfortunately, he caught the pillow before it could cause any damage.

"You missed. No surprise there," he mocked.
I fake laughed and glared at him.

"Hey, I have an idea. Let's get out of here," Drake proposed.

Leaning against the headboard on my bed, I declined.

"It'll do you good," he insisted.

"I'm tired Drake. It's been a really long day. Anyways, I plan to barricade myself in my room for the whole month, so no thanks."

"That's totally normal."

"I'm serious."

"Just give me a chance okay? Jason and I planned to meet tonight at his place. You could tag along."

"After what I pulled today at the cafe? Definitely no."

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Drake shook his head, smiling slightly.

"Trust me, it's no problem. Besides, Davina won't be there. Just Jace and Stace."
Half a second later, he exclaimed, "Hey, that rhymed!"

Shaking my head at his...whatever you want to call it, I muttered, "I don't know Drake."

"Just trust me. You need this break Zoe. C'mon, it'll be fun."

Sighing for the millionth time that night, I reluctantly agreed – mostly because I knew he wont stop bugging me unless I accompanied him. Honestly speaking, I had no energy left to argue.

"Let's not make this a habit though. I see more than enough of you guys at school."

Minutes later, we headed down the stairs, out the house and into Drakes car. My thoughts drifted to Elena.

I had no idea how I was going to survive for the next month. Just seeing her, heck, just hearing her voice messed me up. My life was miserable enough without her there to pour salt on the wounds she herself had slowly inflicted.

I was startled out of my thoughts by Drake announcing that we had reached our destination.

Stepping out of the car, I viewed the mansion in front of me, and was miraculously rid of all thoughts about her. And not because I suddenly managed to overpower them and become all calm and confident. Far from it actually.

"C'mon, let's introduce you to one of the best places in this town," Drake said, as he moved towards the house.

I stood rooted to the ground, wanting to run back home.

Instead, I sighed and followed him, mentally cursing myself for willingly walking straight into the lions den.

..............
Not my finest work, I agree. But I really wanted to move farther in the story, which I cant unless I have this chapter published.